[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1072-1073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-152]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Meeting of the National Biodefense Science Board

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human 
Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services is hereby giving notice that 
the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) will be holding a public 
meeting, followed by a closed portion of the meeting under exemption 
9(B) of the Government in Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b(c).

DATES: The February 2, 2012 NBSB public meeting is tentatively 
scheduled

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from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A portion of the public meeting will be 
closed and is tentatively scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The agenda is 
subject to change as priorities dictate. Please check the NBSB Web site 
for the most up-to-date information on the meeting.

ADDRESSES: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Palladian Ballroom, 2500 Calvert Street 
NW. (at Connecticut Ave.) Washington, District of Columbia 20008. To 
attend by teleconference, call 1-(866) 395-4129, pass-code ``ASPR.'' 
Please call 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the conference call to 
facilitate attendance. Pre-registration is required for in person 
public attendance. Individuals who wish to attend the meeting in person 
should send an email to [email protected] with ``NBSB Registration'' in the 
subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: MacKenzie Robertson, Acting Executive 
Director, NBSB, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 
Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; (202) 260-0447; 
fax (202) 205-8508; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 319M of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-7f) and section 222 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), the Department of Health and Human 
Services established the National Biodefense Science Board. The Board 
shall provide expert advice and guidance to the Secretary on 
scientific, technical, and other matters of special interest to the 
Department of Health and Human Services regarding current and future 
chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents, whether 
naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. The Board may also 
provide advice and guidance to the Secretary and/or the Assistant 
Secretary for Preparedness and Response on other matters related to 
public health emergency preparedness and response.
    Background: A portion of this public meeting will be dedicated to 
swearing in the seven new voting members who will replace the members 
whose 4-year terms will expire on January 31, 2012. The Board will also 
be asked to review and evaluate the 2012 Public Health Emergency 
Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) Strategy and Implementation 
Plan (SIP). Until a final document is approved by the Secretary of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the development of 
PHEMCE SIP requires consideration and discussion of procurement-
sensitive information that should not be released to the public prior 
to the Secretary's final decision. Premature public disclosure of the 
draft PHEMCE SIP would limit the Secretary's decision-making ability to 
effectively prioritize HHS expenditures on critical medical 
countermeasures. Therefore, the Board's deliberations on the new task 
will be conducted in closed session in accordance with provisions set 
forth under exemption 9(B) of the Government in Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 
section 552b(c), and with approval by the Assistant Secretary for 
Preparedness and Response.
    Availability of Materials: The meeting agenda and materials will be 
posted on the NBSB Web site at http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/boards/nbsb/Pages/default.aspx prior to the meeting.
    Procedures for Providing Public Input: Any member of the public 
providing oral comments at the meeting must sign-in at the registration 
desk and provide his/her name, address, and affiliation. All written 
comments must be received prior to January 26, 2012 and should be sent 
by email to [email protected] with ``NBSB Public Comment'' as the subject 
line. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such 
as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, 
should email [email protected].

    Dated: January 3, 2012.
Nicole Lurie,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
[FR Doc. 2012-152 Filed 1-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-37-P